The 2025 Infiniti QX60 premium midsize crossover represents a smart choice for buyers seeking a spacious, well-equipped three-row SUV at a relatively affordable price. It slots below the three-row QX80 full-size SUV and above the two-row QX50 and QX55 compact crossovers in Infiniti’s U.S. lineup.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
For 2025, the QX60 gets a new variable-compression turbocharged (VC-Turbo) four-cylinder engine, which replaces the V6 in the 2024 model. Additionally, a new Black Edition appearance package spruces up the Luxe trim level with gloss black wheels and exterior accents. It also includes unique lighting elements. Luxe and higher grades benefit from an upgraded audio system, and every 2025 QX60 gets a new key fob.
The 2025 Infiniti QX60 is available in four trims or “grades”: Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph. All come with the new VC-Turbo engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all but the top-of-the-line Autograph, which only comes with all-wheel drive (AWD). However, you can add AWD to the other three grades for $2,000. Pricing ranges from around $50,000 for the Pure FWD to the mid-$60,000s for the Autograph with standard AWD.
JD Power previously published a review of the 2024 Infiniti QX60 in top-spec Autograph trim and then-standard V6 engine. This review focuses on the QX60’s updates for 2025 and how they potentially impact its overall consumer appeal.
For this 2025 QX60 review, Infiniti provided a test vehicle equipped with Luxe trim and the following options:
The test vehicle’s price was $62,745, including the $1,350 destination charge to ship the crossover SUV to your local dealership from the Infiniti assembly plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
Formerly the purview of specialty automotive aftermarket companies, it seems that virtually every automaker selling cars in the United States now offers a “blackout” version of at least one of its models straight from the factory. The blackout treatment removes as much chrome as possible and replaces it with black-colored wheels, trim, badges, and emblems, inside and out.
In a move that would surely please Darth Vader, the 2025 QX60 joins the Dark Side by offering a Black Edition package. Available exclusively on the Luxe grade, the QX60 Black Edition features gloss black 20-inch wheels, grille surround, roof rails, and exterior badges. It also includes unique lighting elements, such as welcome lighting, an illuminated Infiniti grille emblem, and illuminated kick plates. A black headliner completes the look inside.
The QX60 Black Edition is available in three exterior colors: Mineral Black, Majestic White, and Harbor Gray—the latter new for 2025, as featured on my test vehicle.
Generally speaking, I’m a fan of the blacked-out look, even if it has seemingly permeated every industry segment and lost some of its exclusivity. Nowadays, you see it on cars, pickups, SUVs, luxury cars, and even minivans. But on the QX60, the blackout treatment looks great. I particularly liked the wheel design; the gloss black accents and trim bits popped with the Harbor Gray paint. My only complaint is that the black headliner made the interior a bit dark.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
My test vehicle featured a 17-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system, which is newly standard on the Luxe grade of the 2025 QX60. While not up to the same performance standards as some of the premium audio systems I’ve sampled in other luxury SUVs, the Bose system in the QX60 is a decided step up from the standard, Infiniti-branded system in the base model, which only has nine speakers and lacks the Bose system’s Centerpoint surround-sound technology.
It's not all good news, however. While the peak volume and overall sound clarity characteristics of the Bose system in the QX60 are commendable, I was a bit disappointed with the lack of low-end punch you’d expect from a premium system. To be sure, I’m not looking to rattle the windows of buildings as I pass by, but a little more bass (courtesy of a dedicated subwoofer, perhaps) would not only take this system to the next level but also satisfy buyers who are all about that bass (no treble).
Additionally, all versions of the 2025 QX60 get a new key fob that can sense when you approach or walk away from your vehicle, automatically unlocking or locking the SUV. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can turn off the feature.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
While the new Black Edition appearance package and Bose audio system upgrade for the Luxe trim are notable, the most significant change to the 2025 QX60 is the transition to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. First employed in the 2019 Infiniti QX50, the VC-Turbo engine is now standard on every QX60 and replaces the 2024 model’s V6.
While the move from a thirsty V6 to a more fuel-efficient, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is commonplace in the auto industry, the VC-Turbo’s party trick is its ability to vary its compression ratio and piston stroke length to maximize fuel economy or provide more power, depending on the situation. This differs from traditional engines, which have a fixed compression ratio. With the VC-Turbo, the engine shortens its stroke if more power is needed. Conversely, the stroke lengthens to lower rpms and thus fuel consumption under light loads.
How does the new VC-Turbo compare to the old V6 in terms of power? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. The 3.5-liter V6 engine in the 2024 QX60 produced 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque at a fixed compression ratio of 11.0:1. The 2.0-liter VC-Turbo, on the other hand, cranks out a maximum 268 hp and 286 pound-feet, with compression ranging from 8.0:1 (maximizes efficiency) to 14.0:1 (maximizes power). All things being equal, the VC-Turbo’s extra torque should translate to quicker acceleration. The QX60’s maximum towing capacity remains steady at 6,000 pounds.
What about fuel economy, you ask? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2025 QX60 with the VC-Turbo and FWD or AWD gets 24 mpg combined. The 2024 model with the V6 and FWD gets 23 mpg combined, and the AWD version gets 22 mpg. While, on the surface, one or two mpg may not seem like a lot, calculating the fuel savings over 10 years shows a clear win for the VC-Turbo. But are the EPA estimates realistic in real-world driving? Read on to find out.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
With a completely different engine under the hood, you might think the 2025 QX60’s driving character would be vastly different compared to the 2024 model. You’d be wrong. While there are nominal differences concerning horsepower and torque, everything else is the same: transmission, drive systems, suspension, steering, etc. The additional 16 pound-feet of torque notwithstanding, in short, the VC-Turbo-powered 2025 QX60 drives very similarly to the V6-powered 2024 QX60.
The fact that the VC-Turbo doesn’t noticeably change the QX60’s driving character is a plus, in my opinion, as the SUV still provides ample acceleration, a smooth ride, decent handling, and excellent brakes. Sure, there’s a bit of engine harshness and noise at wide-open throttle, but it’s no worse than what the V6 produced. Steering is light, but there’s no mistaking you’re driving a long, tall, three-row SUV that weighs nearly 4,700 pounds. Accordingly, the SUV exhibits a fair amount of body roll in tight corners.
Still, the only truly disappointing thing regarding driving the QX60 is the fuel economy. According to the EPA, the 2025 QX60 AWD should get 22/27/24 mpg (city/highway/combined). During my test, which was mainly comprised of surface streets with a bit of Interstate driving thrown in for good measure, the trip computer indicated 22.1 mpg. While that mirrors the EPA’s city mpg rating, I expected a bit more, as I didn’t entirely limit my travels to suburbia. If you primarily drive on the Interstate, freeway, or highway, your fuel economy will improve significantly.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
The Infiniti QX60 is a competent luxury midsize three-row crossover SUV. It has attractive styling (the Luxe grade with Black Edition package is particularly fetching), a quality interior, comfortable front seats, and credible driving dynamics—all at a palatable price. That said, despite the new, technologically advanced VC-Turbo engine, it slightly disappoints in fuel economy.
Most others in the segment—the Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, Lexus TX, Mazda CX-90, and the Volvo XC90—feature superior style, size, or driving dynamics. Still, the QX60 has a luxury badge, provides good value, and offers a spacious cabin, excellent visibility, credible driving dynamics, and a long list of user-friendly standard driver-assistance technologies. For some buyers, that’s more than enough.
Jeff Youngs has 30 years of experience in the auto industry, including 19 years with JD Power in marketing and editorial management roles. He also spent five years with General Motors as a media relations professional. More recently, as a freelance automotive journalist, his work has appeared on Autotrader, Autolist, Capital One Auto Navigator, CarGurus, iSeeCars, JDPower.com, and Kelley Blue Book.
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